Monday, April 16, 2007

The Royal Blog of Oz reviewed the 19th epidesode of the returning to Oz radio show, featuring Joshua Patrick Dudley, here's what they had to say:

Last night I discovered that the 19th episode of Aaron Pacentine's "Returning to Oz" has been released onto the Internet. Aaron usually sends an e-mail and posts this at the International Wizard of Oz Club's message board, but none this time.

In this episode, Aaron, Aaron Schultz, Jason Cottle and Travis Black talk about the Oz books, a few movies, a bit of how they'd like to see a new film version of Oz, the Annotated Wizard of Oz by Micheal Patrick Hearn (though they couldn't remember his name), and noting that, based on the press kits, Disney's Return to Oz seems to have been more honestly advertised in the United Kingdom than in the United States. (Here in the U.S., it was advertised as a fun family fantasy film.) Also, Aaron Pacentine interviews Joshua Dudley, author of the book Lost in Oz which is now serving as the basis for a comic book series. (Maybe when I can afford to, I'll pick up a copy.) Aside from talking about the books and comics, Joshua also talks about his Oz collection, including Illusive Art's photocomic Dorothy and McDonald's Madame Alexander dolls, the first time these two topics have been mentioned on this show.

Once again, the episode can be dowloaded at http://www.videosforfamily.com/returntoozshow.htm.

Monday, April 09, 2007

Joshua Patrick Dudley aims to give a fresh look to the stories of Oz in his new book and soon-to-be-released comic series, Lost In Oz.

Nashua, NH —2007— Joshua Patrick Dudley, a 21-year-old New Hampshire resident, has released his first book, Lost in Oz. When four friends find themselves lost in a mysterious place, their only goal is to find a way home. When the only way home is through a young girl and her magical shoes, how much are they willing to sacrifice to catch her?

Told in first person, present tense, Lost in Oz related the adventures of protagonists Joshua and Tamara along with their friends Tommy and Laura as they travel down the yellow brick road in this all new action packed adventure. Along the way, they will come to terms with aspects of this amazing fantasy world and how it affects them personally; be it a realization about their inherent natures or a rationalization of the dark deeds that they need to commit in order to get home. Readers will be surprised when they meet Dorothy Gale and her friends for the first time. As the characters retrace Dorothy’s famous path, things begin to change, and the original story is completely altered by their interaction with it. A new prophecy for Oz and its peoples will be revealed in this exciting new novel. Oz will never be the same.

Mr. Dudley wrote Lost In Oz to retell a famous story he has always loved by giving it his own fresh twist. Though the book may be a bit scary for children, the author intends the story to be enjoyed by all ages. Students of Baum and Thompson will be pleasantly surprised to see nods to familiar characters. Readers familiar with only the movie will also enjoy the tale.

The most recent development in the Lost In Oz saga is the graphic novel interpretation. The comic book is created using photos instead of illustrations and offers readers a more “in depth” version of the original story, with deeper plots and more twists.

The book is exclusively available online at www.LostInOzBook.com. Paperbacks are $9.99 and hard-covers are $19.99.

ABOUT THE AUTHORJoshua Patrick Dudley, 21, was born and raised in Hooksett, New Hampshire. The son of Laurel Levesque and Michael Dudley and brother to Tamara, Meghan and Caitlin Dudley, Joshua has always been exposed to the arts.

His fascination and love for the stories of Oz started when he was just two years old, when he and his mother shared his first viewing of the MGM classic film The Wizard of Oz. From that point on Joshua was obsessed with the magical land and its inhabitants.